Modular, Easy-Install Window Shading System

ABSTRACT

A modular sun-shading system comprised of a number latticed panels and supporting rails and brackets, used with a purpose of reducing heat load and cooling expenses of a building by shading building&#39;s windows, having latticed panels that allow for snow and rain to pass through them and also reducing wind dynamic drag.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to passive shading, which reducesbuildings' energy cooling loads by eliminating direct sunlight intobuildings at key times of the day and periods of the year whenair-cooling systems are cooling them down.

BACKGROUND

In warm periods, air-cooling systems work to bring building temperaturesto a comfortable level. These cooling systems are relatively inefficientand consume large amounts of energy to maintain the proper indoortemperature during warm periods. The amount of heat in the building thatmust be overcome is known as the heat load. The warmer it is outside andthe less insulated a building is, the greater a heat load will typicallybe. The greater heat load results in more energy required to bring theindoor temperature of the building to a comfortable level.

Every window in a building adds to the heat load for several reasons.First, it has a low insulation value, so warm outdoor temperatures movefairly quickly indoors through windows, as opposed to walls. Second,windows often enable air to squeeze through small leaks, which alsoenable faster movement of warm air into buildings. Finally, the directsun that shines through a window heats up the floor, walls, furniture,and other items in a building, which in turn heat the surrounding air.This is known as passive heating, or greenhouse effect, and is asubstantial contributor to the cooling energy consumption during warmperiods.

The present invention provides a passive shading system, which is easyto install and modular in design. It dramatically reduces the directsunlight, which passes through windows during the hottest months and thewarmest times of the day. The invention does this through several keydesign features: (1) unique attachment features, which enables theinstaller to align and install the shading system accurately andquickly; (2) a unique modular design, which enables the shade to fit awide range of window widths and heights with a simple interlockingsystem; and (3) a unique structural design and material selection thatenable stronger resistance to the environmental elements.

The shading system is designed with a unique mounting system, whichenables easy installation and accurate adjustable mounting. As depictedin the FIG. 1, the mounting brackets are designed with a slotted groovefor easy installation on any type of window header and jambs or windowframe. The mounting guide assists in alignment and accuracy of drillingholes, while the slotted system allows a margin of error in the exactlocations. The mounting brackets are then secured through tightening thescrews down on the mounting bracket. The design enables a uniqueapproach with greater flexibility in window type, window frame, windowtrim and window size.

The shading system also has a unique design feature in its modularassembly and sizing approach. The shading system is design with a seriesof smaller, interlocking shade mechanisms, as depicted in the FIGS. 6and 10. This enables the user to use the same design for any size windowthat is being shaded. The user simply adds for modules to make theappropriate size for the window. This modular design also creates a veryeasy packaging approach for even the largest of shading needs.

The unique modular design with modular panels and rails affixed to thesupport brackets allows the system's supporting brackets to be set apartfrom each other and secured at the locations needed for varying windowwidths.

The shading system is designed with a latticed structure, which keepsall light from passing through the shade, but reduces the overall weightsubstantially. This angled, latticed approach also enable water and snowto pass through the system, allowing it to be used in all inclementweather. Likewise the design approach ensures that strong winds will notcreate the strong lift that typically occurs from shading systems withgreater continuous surface area. It is also made from durable UV stableplastics, which provides an inexpensive, easily fabricated, long-lifeproduct.

Additional embodiments of the shade assembly include adjustable latticeangles; thus in the colder months the lattice angle could be such thatit would allow for the sunlight to enter the windows. In yet anotherembodiment the support brackets have adjustable horizontal angles. Thisfeature allows greater shade coverage of the windows for areas and timeswhere the sun is approaching a horizon position—lower angle in the sky.

Another embodiment is that several of the system assemblies may bevertically stacked to provide the desired shading at tall windows oversix feet in height. For this type of condition two assemblies or moredepending on window height may be used to provide desired shading. Forexample, one unit may be installed at the (side) window jambs at the topof the window height and the second installed in the same manner at thewindow jambs at mid-height.

Another embodiment is an alternate assembly of the modular kit-of-partsto address window conditions that do not have structural framing toaffix the assembly support brackets at the sides of a window. For thiscondition the unit is inverted as shown in FIG. 12. The assembly is thenhung from the building structure above the window header. To retain thecorrect orientation of the sloped latticed panels to provide the desiredshading the supports are assembled at a 180 degree turned orientationfrom the typical assembly to support system beams.

Another embodiment is the projection and cantilevered of the latticedpanels beyond the support brackets that results in additional shadingfrom the rising and setting Sun. With the typical installation of thesupport brackets affixed to the window jambs the side cantilevers of theshading system assembly project beyond the window opening.

Another embodiment is that the underside of the sloped lattice membersdeflects artificial light pollution from the night sky.

Another embodiment can include the latticed panels made of metal thatwould strengthen the described assembly and its resistance to strongwinds, snow and ice.

The design characteristics make this shading unique in comparison toother designs, which have been developed. The approach addressesproblems that have been typical with various shading awning systemswhere they were difficult to install, had little or no designflexibility, and were very vulnerable to adverse weather conditions dueto the large force generated by dynamic pressure of strong wind. Forthis reason, this unique shading system provides a more robust designthat addresses several major problems with other designs.

RELATED FIGURES

FIG. 1

The picture shows complete assembly including four panels, two supportbrackets and three horizontal support extrusions.

FIG. 2

Picture shows a single latticed panel module.

FIG. 3

Shows extruded beam support part that interlocks panels and add verticalsupport. For larger width of windows the extruded support beams can beincreased in height to further increase vertical section modulus andstiffness.

FIG. 4

Shows support bracket and mounting holes on the brackets. Mountingbrackets have three locations for attaching panels holding beams:location in the middle is a hole while front and back locations areslots. The slots are needed to accommodate thermal expansion of thepanels.

FIG. 5

Shows fasteners assembly that are used to attach the beams and panels tothe mounting brackets. In this embodiment the fasteners assemblycontains self-clinching threaded studs along with spacers and closednuts. The function of the spacers is to maintain precise specificdistance between the fastener and the nut.

FIG. 6

Shows cross section of the mounting bracket with a mounting slotdescribed above in FIG. 4. The fasteners used to attach the parts allowfor appropriate thermal expansion or contraction of the materials due tochanging temperatures. In one of the embodiments it is achieved by usinga spacer that precludes complete clamping of the parts by tighteningfastener.

FIG. 7

Shows cross section of the beam mounted onto the support bracket withslotted hole for panel's thermal expansion. It also shows beam to panelinterlocking. Interlocking design would enable to move beams due topanel expansion and contraction. Not all the design features are shownon this picture.

FIG. 8

Shows fastener cross-section in orthogonal direction

FIG. 9

Section isometric drawing shows assembly structure with three beamsalong direction of the widow width.

FIG. 10

Shows side view of the complete assembly.

FIG. 11

Shows exploded axonometric view of the assembly. FIG. 11 shows assemblywith four latticed panels, however the assembly can be expanded to sixor more panels in either horizontal direction thus blocking larger areaof sunlight, covering larger size windows. Supporting rails can beincreased in height to accommodate rigidity and strength for larger sizewindows.

FIG. 12

The picture shows an alternate complete assembly including four panels,two support brackets and three horizontal support extrusions.

This inverted orientation may be implemented when there is no buildingstructural members at the sides of the window for mounting like at acontinuous run of ribbon windows or storefront glazing system. Instead,this alternate system assembly orientation may be hung from the buildingstructure above the window header. This alternate assembly requires thesupports to be at a 180 degree turned orientation from support beams ofthe typical assembly when supported from below so that the orientationof the sloped lattice panel modules prohibits sunlight from passingthrough to the window. The same system holes and slotted holes are usedfor fastening connections of assembled members.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular expandable shading system that featuresangled latticed panels supported by custom shaped rails and brackets,easily install and adapt to fit any size window.
 2. The modularexpandable shading system of claim 1 that has slotted shading latticedpanels that enable shading while allowing snow, rain and wind to passthrough without affecting their structural integrity.
 3. The modularexpandable shading system of claim 1 that has slotted interlockingsupporting rails and brackets and mating panel to enable easyinstallation above window, requiring only standard tooling.
 4. Themodular expandable shading system of claim 1 rail slides contain slottedcontinuous slides to enable horizontal adjustment above window to locateshade in optimal location.
 5. System of claim 1 that has slottedinstallation rails, which enable adjustment at any time afterinstallation.
 6. System of claim 1 has slotted rail system to ensureflexible alignment adjustment with windows, which can vary indimensions, enabling accommodating of window uniqueness withoutrequiring custom modifications.
 7. The rail and mounting bracket railsystem of claim 1 enables attachment to any kind of window design. 8.The latticed panel of the modular expandable shading system of claim 1can be designed in various angles to accommodate window facingdirections, as well as various climate needs, such as deeper angles forareas where snow load can be more substantial.
 9. The rail and mountingbrackets of the modular expandable shading system of claim 1 include asimple sliding bolt mechanism, which attaches the system in place whenit is tightened, yet allows for long parts thermal expansion/contractiondue to changes in temperature.
 10. The parts of the modular expandableshading system of claim 1 may be made of a wide range of materials,including plastic and metal.
 11. The mounting bracket of the modularexpandable shading system of claim 1 has a slotted configuration toenable the shade system to be removed during winter months withoutremoving the mounting brackets.
 12. The modular expandable shadingsystem of claim 1 provides additional shading from the rising andsetting Sun by the side cantilevers of the system assembly that projectbeyond the support brackets and window opening.
 13. The modularexpandable shading system of claim 1 provides an alternate configurationassembly of the system kit-of-parts that affords the system to be hungfrom above the window header.